Koror, Palau: Palau’s tourism industry gears up for a busy February and March as over 17 charter flights from Macau and Japan prepare to land, alongside existing airlines. This influx signals progress towards pre-pandemic visitor levels. 2023 saw numbers go up to 40,000 tourists, roughly half the pre-COVID figure.
Macau leads the charge with 17 direct charter flights scheduled for February, followed by three weekly flights from Hong Kong. The momentum continues in March with six direct charters from Japan. These additions complement existing connections offered by United Airlines, China Airlines, Air New Guinea, and Nauru Airlines.
While excited about the immediate boost, Minister Charles Obichang of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and Industries (MPII) expressed his hope that the success of the Japanese charters paves the way for the re-establishment of scheduled flights from the country.
The increased flight frequencies and introduction of new charters mark a significant step towards Palau’s pre-pandemic tourism landscape. The country, heavily reliant on visitor revenue, witnessed a sharp decline in arrivals during the pandemic.